Method and system for controlling light fixtures

ABSTRACT

A system and method for controlling a plurality of light fixtures to create light and music, including a processor having a memory. Software is loaded in the memory and is executable by the processor to operate a plurality of light fixtures and at least one music speaker. At least one DMX controller is operable by the software to control the color of at least one of the plurality of light fixtures, the at least one light fixture controllable by the DMX controller including an LED light engine. The system and method generates light and sound displays by operating the lights in synchronization with music played through the music speaker. The color of at least one of the plurality of light fixtures is altered in synchronization with the music by the DMX controller. Also disclosed is a light fixture suitable for use in the light and music displays.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to, and claims priority in, co-pending U.S.Provisional application No. 60/732,686 filed on Nov. 1, 2005, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed generally to methods and systems forcontrolling light fixtures, and more particularly to methods and systemsfor controlling multiple LED light fixtures to provide coordinated lightand sound displays. Additionally, a light fixture is disclosed that issuitable for use in the control systems and methods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Coordinated light and sound displays using outdoor lighting are known incommercial applications. For example, hotels and shopping malls may haveinstalled lighting in fountains or spotlighting distinctive features,which can change color along with music. Such lighting systems are veryexpensive and difficult to install and maintain, and are not suitablefor use in a domestic setting, such as in the yard or garden of a home.

It is also known to use fiber-optic cables for underwater lighting,which can be used to provide changing lighting colors in a domesticswimming pool, but fiber-optic lighting is expensive and difficult toinstall, and is not suitable for the retrofitting of existing pools.Additionally, the fiber-optic light fixtures are not as bright astraditional incandescent light fixtures, and are therefore not well usedin pool and other underwater lighting applications.

In contrast to traditional light sources, solid state lighting, such aslight emitting diode (“LED”) fixtures, are more efficient at generatingvisible light than many traditional light sources. However, single LEDlights are typically not bright enough for illuminating objects or foruse in pool and other underwater lighting. In order to use LEDs forillumination, a cluster of LED fixtures must be provided. Although LEDsdo not generally radiate heat in the direction of the beam of lightproduced, implementation of LEDs for many traditional light sourceapplications has been hindered by the amount of heat build-up within theelectronic circuits of the LEDs. This heat build-up is particularlyproblematic as more LEDs are added to a cluster. Heat build-up reducesLED light output, shortens lifespan and can eventually cause the LEDs tofail. It has therefore been problematic to use LED lights to providelight and sound displays in an outdoor setting.

LED light engines have recently become available, which supply multipleLED lights in an array. The light engines make it possible to provide ahigh lumen light using LEDs, and it is desirable to use such lightengines in swimming pool, spa and other underwater lighting. However,the management of heat generated by the light engines is critical tomaintaining the performance of the LED array, and the use of such LEDlight engines in different applications has not so far been achieved.

It is desirable to provide both light fixtures, such as spotlights,flood lights and pool lights, using LED light engines, and also toprovide methods and systems for controlling multiple LED light fixturesto provide coordinated light and sound displays.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The exemplary embodiments provide a light engine that can be usedwithout a niche which is advantageous in assembly. The light fixture ofthe exemplary embodiment can also be used in retrofitting fiber opticsystems due to the use of low voltage and the significant reduction inthe size of the light engine.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a system and method forcontrolling a plurality of light fixtures. The system includes aprocessor having a memory, software loaded in the memory and executableby the processor to operate a plurality of light fixtures and at leastone music speaker. At least one DMX controller can be included, the DMXcontroller being operable by the software to control the color of atleast one of the plurality of light fixtures, the at least one lightfixture controllable by the DMX controller including an LED lightengine. The system and method generates light and sound displays byoperating the lights in synchronization with music played through themusic speaker. The color of at least one of the plurality of lightfixtures is altered in synchronization with the music by the DMXcontroller. The invention can provide a submersible light fixture,including a pipe for installation in a wall of a body of water, the pipehaving a niche therein; and an LED light engine mounted in the niche, inwhich the niche is designed to be in fluid communication with a body ofwater when the light fixture is submerged such that the water acts as aheat sink to the LED light engine. The submersible light fixture may beused in the light and sound displays generated by the control method andsystem.

In another aspect, an underwater light assembly for a wall surroundingwater is provided. The assembly has a pipe with at least one returnfitting and is positioned in the wall; and a body that has a lens at oneend and encloses a LED light engine and a heat sink. The body isinserted into the return fitting in the pipe. The LED light engine iscoupled to a power source via the pipe. The lens protrudes from the pipeand is in contact with the water along an outer surface of the lensonly. The LED light engine is cooled by convection cooling.

In another aspect, a system for controlling at least one entertainmentcomponent is provided comprising: a processor having a memory; and atleast one DMX controller in communication with the processor to controla color of the at least one entertainment component. The at least oneentertainment component comprises at least one LED light engine and theat least one DMX controller controls the at least one entertainmentcomponent by pulse width modulation to generate a light display.

In another aspect, an entertainment system comprises: a processor havinga memory; a plurality of entertainment components; at least one DMXcontroller operable by the processor to independently control a color ofeach of the plurality of entertainment components, wherein the pluralityof entertainment components comprises at least one LED light engine; amusic source having at least one music composition; and an audiocontroller operably connected to the music source. The processoroperates the audio controller to synchronize the at least one LED lightengine to the music composition. The at least one DMX controllercontrols the at least one LED light engine by pulse width modulation togenerate a light display.

The body can be elongated. The LED light engine is connected to the heatsink with conductive epoxy. The LED light engine and the heat sink arein thermal communication at least through thermal grease. Various otherthermal communication techniques, methods, structures and combinationsthereof can be used between the light engine and the heat sink,including but not limited to, heat transfer tape, heat transfer film,and other mechanical heat conducting structures and materials. Thesystem can further comprise: a user interface selected from the groupconsisting essentially of a touch screen, a keypad, a remote controllerand any combinations thereof, wherein the user interface is incommunication with the processor for inputting commands. The system mayfurther comprise: an audio controller operably connected to a musicsource and the processor to synchronize the at least one LED lightengine to a music composition of the music source. The entertainmentcomponent can be a plurality of components that are each independentlycontrolled by the processor and DMX controller.

The processor may be in communication with a remote data system, and thememory can be provided with program instructions for operating the DMXcontroller from the remote data system. The remote data system can beaccessed by the processor via the internet. The plurality ofentertainment components may be chosen from a group consistingessentially of LED laminar components, waterfall components, bubblercomponents, landscape lights, flood lights, accent tubes, underwater LEDfixture, fountain lights, fiber optics, well lights, stairway lighting,down lights and LED node lights. The memory of the processor can beprovided with program instructions for operating the DMX controller fromthe remote data system, and the program instructions can be embodied ina medium that is removable from the processor.

These and other arrangements and advantages are described in relation tothe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

There are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presentlypreferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is notlimited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a light fixture according to the inventivearrangements.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view through the light of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a light fixture according to a preferredembodiment of the inventive arrangements.

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the light fixture of FIG. 3installed into a pipe.

FIG. 3B is an exploded view of the light fixture of another exemplaryembodiment of a light fixture of the inventive arrangements.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a light engine usable with the light fixture ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 4A is a side view of the light engine of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is a power and control circuit for use with the light fixture ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of an entertainment system of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The present invention provides light emitting diode (LED) fixtures, andprovides methods and system for controlling LED light fixtures. Theinvention most particularly relates to the provision and control oflandscaping lighting, for example using pool, spa and other waterfeature lights in combination with spotlights and floodlightsilluminating landscape fixtures, trees and other plants and buildings.In one embodiment, the invention relates to the provision of LED lightswithin pipes for installation in swimming pools, spas and the like. Itwill be appreciated that the LED fixtures described are intended for usein any suitable underwater application such as swimming pools, spas,fountains, sinks, waterfalls or any other water feature, and is notlimited in this regard.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an LED light fixture 10 is shown, installedin a pipe 12. The pipe may be formed of any suitable material, and ispreferably flexible. In a preferred arrangement, the pipe is formed of aPVC material. The pipe may have a diameter of less than 2 inches. Thelight does not need to be in a niche, as is necessary with conventionallights, because the pool water will cool the light without the need forany additional cooling. The light fixture 10 is slid into a niche 14 inthe pipe, and is covered with a lens 16. The niche 14 is typically is anopen-ended ball in the wall of the pool, such as a plastic ball. Thelight fixture includes an LED light engine 18, which is linked to acontrol console (not shown) by a wire 20. Only the lens 16 protrudesfrom the pipe in use. The niche allows water to circulate around thelight fixture 10 and to cool the light. A plurality of the lightfixtures 10 may be used in a single pipe 12, such that the lights arearranged around a wall 22 of a pool, spa or similar water featurecontaining water 24. The light fixtures 10 may be arranged in the sidewalls, and bottom of a pool, around the edge of the pool, in spas, inwaterfall features, in landscape lighting, etc.

As used herein, a light engine is any optical system that can collectlight from a lamp, such as light emitting diode, and deliver the lightto a target, which can be used by the target or can be reformatted, suchas improving spatial, angular and/or spectral uniformities of the light.Additionally, the light engines can feature one or more LED's, which canall be a single color or can be various colors.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 3A, an LED lightfixture 100 is shown, installed into a pipe 12 without the need for aniche (such as the niche 14 shown in FIG. 2). The pipe 12 may be formedof any suitable material, and is preferably flexible. In a preferredarrangement, the pipe 12 is formed of a PVC material that is positionedin a wall of the pool or spa and then plastered over so as to be flushor substantially flush with the pool wall. The pipe 12 may have adiameter of less than 2 inches. The light fixture 100 does not need tobe in a niche, as is necessary with conventional lights, because thelight is convection cooled. The light fixture 1100 can have an elongatedbody that is inserted into a fitting 195 in the pipe 12, such as a 1½inch return fitting. The light fixture 100 can include a lens 160.

The light fixture 100 includes an LED light engine 180, which is linkedto a control console (not shown) by a wire (not shown). The lens 160 canprotrude from the pipe 12 in use. A plurality of the light fixtures 100may be used in a single pipe, such that the lights are arranged around awall of a pool, spa or similar water feature containing water. The lightfixtures 100 may be arranged in the side walls, and bottom of a pool,around the edge of the pool, in spas, in waterfall features, inlandscape lighting, etc.

The LED light fixture 100 may be an LED light engine, such as theBL-4000 RGB light engine available from Lamina Ceramics of Westhampton,N.J., as shown in FIGS. 4 and 4A. The BL-4000 LED array is configuredwith multiple LED's. In the RGB light engine, each cavity containsmultiple red, green and blue LED dies for optimal color uniformity. Thehigh brightness LED's are combined with a multilayer low temperatureco-fired ceramic on metal (LTCC-M). The LTCC-M allows multiple LED's tobe densely clustered to achieve high luminous intensity in a smallarray. The LED dies can be operated in any combination to emit a largenumber of colors, and the colors can be changed at will using a suitablecontrol system. It will of course be appreciated that any number ofLED's can be used, and that any suitable LED array or light engine maybe employed in the present invention.

The light engine 180 can be a LED light engine delivering any number oflumens of warm white light, blended RGB and white at any temperature,such as, for example, 95 lumens of warm white light, 120 lumens ofblended RGB and 120 lumens in white (5500°K) from a single point. Thelight engine 180 has a round footprint, standardized drive currents forease of retrofitting and assembly, three channel control withindependent input/output, an isolated metal base and a heat sink 190. Itwill of course be appreciated that any number of LED's can be used, andthat any suitable LED array or light engine may be employed in thepresent invention. The light engine 180 can be attached to the heat sink190 with conductive epoxy or other connecting techniques such as a screwconnection with thermal grease applied thereto or other connectionstructures, materials and techniques. Mounting holes 185 and the likecan be provided on the light engine 180 to facilitate assembly with thelight feature 100.

Light fixture 100 can utilize a low voltage power source, for example 12to 15 volts, and can be retro-fitted into existing fiber optic pool andspa installations. The light fixture 100 has no minimum depthrequirements and there are no moving parts associated therewith. Thepresent disclosure contemplates various circuit components andconfigurations being utilized to control and provide power to the lightfixture 100. For example, FIG. 5 shows a circuit 200 connected to thelight fixtures 100. The circuit 200 uses a configuration of electricalcomponents such as op-amps 210, transistors 220 (e.g., power MOSFETS),capacitors 230, resistors 240, switches 250 (e.g., quad bilateralswitches), microcontrollers 260 (e.g., LCD microcontrollers) andtransceivers 270 to drive and control the light engine 180 of each ofthe light fixtures 100. However, the present disclosure contemplates theuse of other circuit components and other configurations of componentsfor driving and controlling one or more of the light fixtures 100described above.

Referring to FIG. 3B, another embodiment of light fixture 100 is shownwith a housing 195 having threads 197 to facilitate connection with thepipe. A key or the like can be used with the light engine 180 tofacilitate connection with the housing 195 and the housing and lightengine can be connected via the threads 199.

In another aspect of the invention, an entertainment system 300 isprovided having a control system 400 for controlling multiple LED lightfixtures to provide coordinated light and sound displays as shown inFIG. 6. The LED light fixtures that are used with the control system mayinclude multiple LED light fixtures 10 and/or 100 as discussed, but mayalso include other pool and spa lighting such as underwater spotlightsor other pool illumination lights, and above-ground lights such asspotlights and floodlights. Any type of light fixture may be connectedto the control system 400, although it is preferred that LED lightengines, e.g., light engines 180 are used because of the flexibilityoffered by the light engines for changing the color of the lightemitted.

Various entertainment components can be used with system 300, includingLED water features 500, such as, LED laminar components 510, waterfallcomponents 520 and bubbler components 530; LED above-ground lightfixtures 600, such as, landscape lights 610, flood lights 620 and accenttubes 630; underwater LED fixtures 700, such as light fixtures 100,lights 710 and fountain lights 720; LED light sources for fiber optics800, such as, source 810, source 820 and tower illuminator 830; andother LED fixtures 900, such as well lights 910, stairway lighting 920,down lights 930 and LED node lights 940. These components can be used invarious configurations to provide an aesthetically pleasing display.Other components can be used with entertainment system 300 such as thosedescribed in co-pending and commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/066,501 filed Feb. 25, 2005, U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/265,691 filed Nov. 1, 2005 and U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/265,692 filed Nov. 1, 2005, the disclosures of which are hereinincorporated by reference.

The entertainment components used in system 300 may be in communicationwith control system 400 operating in compliance with the DMX512,DMX512/1990 or DMX512-A protocols, or any extensions thereof. Theseprotocols can specify the transmission voltages, the data rate, theformat of the data content, the type of cable and the type of connectorto be used. The DMX protocols additionally can be used to specify thecolor of the light output by the light engine, which may change overtime or in a programmed sequence to give a pleasing effect from thelight fixture 10 and/or 100, as well as the other entertainmentcomponents. It will of course be appreciated that the invention is notlimited to the use of DMX protocols, and that any suitable controlmodule protocol may be used.

In a preferred arrangement, the control system 400 has a processor,microprocessor or computer 410 in communication with a DMX controller450 and an audio controller 480 (e.g., a Symphony Of Light™ controller).The DMX controller 450 can receive inputs or commands from one or moreof a touch screen interface 420, a keypad 430 and/or a remote control440. The audio controller 480 can be connected to a music source such asa radio 490 for synchronization of music with the other entertainmentcomponents, e.g., light fixtures 100. Individual music compositions canbe input to the control system 400 for synchronization with the lighteffects controlled by the DMX controller 450.

DMX controller 450 and computer 410 preferably control the entertainmentcomponents such as light fixtures 100 through use of pulse widthmodulation. The use of pulse width modulation power control by system400 reduces the total amount of power delivered to the loads, e.g., eachof the light fixtures 100, without losses normally incurred when a powersource is limited by resistive means. Thus, control system 400 providespower efficiency, which is especially significant where a large numberof entertainment components are being utilized in the system 300.However, other power control methods and techniques are contemplates bythe present disclosure, including resistive power control. DMXcontroller 450 can preferably control each of the entertainmentcomponents independently. Rotary switches on the DMX controller 450 canbe used to set the address of the particular entertainment component tofacilitate use.

System 300 allows one or more lights and one or more music sources to beconnected to the control system 400. A plurality of DMX control consolesmay be connected, one for each light fixture or a single DMX controlconsole 450 may be used to control multiple light fixtures. However, thepresent disclosure contemplates use of entertainment system 300 withother types of control techniques and components. For example,entertainment system 300 can use a stand along unit of control thatallows for toggling of the power to cycle through various modes ofoperation, e.g., slow color change, selected colors, fade, fast colorchange and quick blinking lights.

Upon installation of the lighting system in a user's yard or garden (orin any other desired installation location), they may be set up with aninitial control program, or a selection of programs. For example, theremay be different lighting programs with appropriate music for Christmas(such as using red and green lighting), July 4^(th) (using red, whiteand blue lighting), Halloween (using purple and orange lighting),Valentine's day (red, pink and white lighting), and a general lightingprogram selected by the user, among others. In a typical installation,the user may be given the choice to select 5 programs out of a standard20 programs. Although various numbers of programs are contemplated bythe present invention. The user may also request that a custom programbe created to generate lighting and music displays of their ownchoosing.

Software or other program instructions can be used to control thelighting system and may be provided on the computer 410 uponinstallation of the system 300, or the user may use control software viathe internet. A removable medium, such as a compact disk, may store theprogram instructions for the control system 400. A suitable website maybe provided, which may periodically offer new lighting and music themesfor downloading. The website may guide user's through the process ofcreating a custom light and sound display for entertainment system 300.For example, the user may select a musical composition, and then thesoftware may ask the user to select desired colors of lighting, andtimes during the music when the user wishes the lighting to changecolor, brightness or to flash or provide other effects. Computer 410 isdescribed herein by way of example as a central processing unit. Ofcourse, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for computer 410 toinclude any programmable circuit, such as, but not limited to,computers, processors, microcontrollers, microcomputers, programmablelogic controllers, application specific integrated circuits, and otherprogrammable circuits.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustratedand described, it will be clear that the invention is not so limited.Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions andequivalents will occur to those skilled in the art without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the present invention as described in theclaims.

1-4. (canceled)
 5. A system for controlling at least one entertainmentcomponent, the system comprising: a processor having a memory; and atleast one DMX controller in communication with the processor to controla color of the at least one entertainment component, wherein the atleast one entertainment components comprises at least one LED lightengine, and wherein the at least one DMX controller controls the atleast one entertainment component by pulse width modulation to generatea light display.
 6. The system of claim 5, further comprising: a userinterface selected from the group consisting essentially of a touchscreen, a keypad, a remote controller and any combinations thereof,wherein the user interface is in communication with the processor forinputting commands for control of the light display.
 7. The system ofclaim 5, further comprising: an audio controller operably connected to amusic source and the processor to synchronize the at least one LED lightengine to a music composition of the music source.
 8. The system ofclaim 7, wherein the at least one entertainment component is a pluralityof entertainment components that are each independently controlled bythe processor and DMX controller.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein theprocessor is in communication with a remote data system, and wherein thememory is provided with program instructions from the remote data systemfor operating the DMX controller.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein theremote data system is accessed by the processor via the internet.
 11. Anentertainment system comprising: a processor having a memory; aplurality of entertainment components; at least one DMX controlleroperable by the processor to independently control a color of each ofthe plurality of entertainment components, wherein the plurality ofentertainment components comprise at least one LED light engine; a musicsource having at least one music composition; and an audio controlleroperably connected to the music source, wherein the processor operatesthe audio controller to synchronize the at least one LED light engine tothe at least one music composition, and wherein the at least one DMXcontroller controls the at least one LED light engine by pulse widthmodulation to generate a light display.
 12. The system of claim 11,further comprising: a user interface selected from the group consistingessentially of a touch screen, a keypad, a remote controller and anycombinations thereof, wherein the user interface is operably connectedto the processor for inputting commands to control the light display.13. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of entertainmentcomponents are chosen from a group consisting essentially of LED laminarcomponents, waterfall components, bubbler components, landscape lights,flood lights, accent tubes, underwater LED fixture, fountain lights,fiber optics, well lights, stairway lighting, down lights and LED nodelights.
 14. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is incommunication with a remote data system, and wherein the memory isprovided with program instructions from the remote data system foroperating the DMX controller.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein theremote data system is accessed by the processor via the internet. 16.The system of claim 11, wherein at least one of the plurality ofentertainment components is an underwater light assembly comprising: apipe with at least one return filling; and a body having a lens at oneend and enclosing the at least one LED light engine and a heat sink, thebody being inserted into the return fitting in the pipe, the at leastone LED light engine being coupled to a power source via the pipe, andthe lens protruding from the pipe and being in contact with the wateralong an outer surface of the lens only, wherein the at least one LEDlight engine is cooled by convection cooling.
 17. The system of claim16, wherein the body of the underwater light assembly is elongated. 18.The system of claim 16, wherein the at least one LED light engine of theunderwater light assembly is connected to the heat sink with conductiveepoxy.
 19. The system of claim 16, wherein the at least one LED lightengine of the underwater light assembly and the heat sink of theunderwater light assembly are in thermal communication at least throughthermal grease, heat transfer tape, heat transfer film or a mechanicalheat transfer structure.
 20. The system of claim 11, wherein the memoryof the processor is provided with program instructions for operating theDMX controller, and wherein the program instructions are embodied in amedium that is removable from the processor. 21-28. (canceled)